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Jane Velez-Mitchell is the author of 'iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life' and 'Secrets Can Be Murder: The Killer Next Door' as well as 'Addict Nation: An Intervention for America'. She hosts the Jane Velez-Mitchell show nightly on HLN at 7p ET.

It’s happened again: what I clearly see as cruelty to cows caught on tape. This time at a supplier to fast food giant In-N-Out Burger, which immediately cut ties to the slaughterhouse.

It’s just the latest investigation into America’s meat industry to uncover horrific cruelty inflicted upon helpless farm animals. After getting a job at the slaughterhouse, an undercover investigator from the animal welfare group Compassion Over Killing spent two weeks using a hidden camera to document how workers treated the cows there.

The videotape contains images so vile that many news organizations feel they can only show brief snippets. After all, who wants to witness a dairy cow enduring a slow and agonizing death, thrashing about and bleeding after being shot over and over again with a pneumatic gun that can’t seem to render her unconscious? Who wants to see an apparently still conscious cow being lifted up by one leg via a conveyor as she writhes in agony?

Warning – content is extremely graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.

But, watch we must. It’s vital for all of us to bear witness to injustice. It’s also the responsibility of journalists to expose injustice wherever it appears, no matter how inconvenient or unappetizing, no matter how powerless the victims.

In this case we’re talking about injustice to cows, sentient beings who obviously cannot speak for themselves or defend themselves. These cows have done nothing but endure pathetic lives producing milk only to have their existence ended by being stomped on and suffocated with a boot.

I for one have seen enough to say this. Americans - and the powers that be, including mainstream media - must stand up and say with a unified voice: the meat industry must change and change now!

And that means the USDA must change!

“USDA inspectors were on site while these abuses were taking place,” says Paul Shapiro, the Humane Society of the United States’ Vice President of farm animal protection, adding, “Why does it seem to take animal protection organizations going undercover to blow the whistle? Time and again, investigations continue revealing the all-too-common abuse endured by animals in factory farms and slaughter plants.”

Why didn’t the inspectors from United States Department of Agriculture notice any of these hideous activities that were as plain as day on the videotape? Were the USDA inspectors looking the other way?

I ask because there seems to be a pattern here. Several years ago, the Humane Society of the United States shot undercover video at the Hallmark slaughterhouse in Chino, California. Workers were caught on tape ramming cows with forklifts, jabbing a cow in the eye and giving cows electric shocks, all in an attempt to force the sick animals to walk to slaughter. The Humane Society’s President Wayne Pacelle described it as “torture...right out of the waterboarding manual.”

That scandal resulted in the largest beef recall in U.S. history because, by law, potentially diseased “downer” cows are not supposed to enter the human food chain. So, why did the USDA inspectors fail to see obvious horrors at the Chino slaughterhouse? And where were they during this latest debacle?

It all raises this question: Is the USDA more interested in promoting the meat industry than protecting the American consumer?

In the wake of the Chino slaughterhouse scandal Congressional hearings were held. Connecticut Congresswoman Rose DeLauro pointed to the shameful fact that, “It took an outside group to unveil these terrible practices.” She added, "The USDA's mission is blurred."

In other words the USDA is charged with promoting the very industry that it’s supposed to regulate. It’s called a conflict of interest.

When cruelty is caught on tape the companies involved often point to the USDA inspectors implying that their very presence would imply that their business is operating appropriately. In this latest case, The Central Valley Meat Company issued a statement saying, “As a federally-inspected plant, all handling activities are also performed under the continuous inspection of USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel who are empowered to take immediate action when they observe a problem. That is why these allegations are both disturbing and surprising.”

Why anyone is surprised by what is purportedly happening in plain sight in their own operation is another good question.

Every few weeks, another undercover investigation by an animal welfare group (Compassion Over Killing, Mercy For Animals, HSUS, PETA) reveals mind boggling behavior towards farm animals who have just as much capacity to feel as your dog or cat. These cows have eyes, ears, hearts, and can feel pain and experience torture and suffering. The time has come to say enough. But, handwringing and polite calls for reform are meaningless without the backing of the U.S. government.

Now that an animal welfare group has exposed a really inconvenient truth on tape, the USDA is acknowledging what it calls evidence of “egregious inhumane handling and treatment of livestock.” It suspended operations at Central Valley Meat Company.

Now, the U.S. government needs to investigate itself. What were the USDA inspectors stationed at the site doing? Why didn’t they spot the problem? Why did an animal welfare group have to do the USDA’s job for them?

Until the U.S. government develops integrity in this arena, consumers can’t assume the products they buy are made with integrity. So Caveat Emptor - buyer beware! If you don’t want to be a part of this horror, don’t buy meat products. It just might have to take a national meat boycott to get the USDA to clean up its act.

soundoff(133 Responses)

Everything that has opened my eyes to all this horrific abuse to animals, is directly from the videos that Jane has put out there on her HLN news program I thank you for opening my eyes to just where and how the food I WAS eating came from. It's just not worth it to eat these poor creatures ever again. It's just too sad to swallow a bite of an animal ever again. I say, you want to eat meat? Take a knife and cut the poor cow yourself

I would like a personnel note back from Jane herself. I just can't stand a life with so much cruelty to ALL of our beautiful animals on our planet being so constantly abused. I can hardly breathe. My tears. My tears

I love Jane. My married name was Velez. I live here in Mexico City. I can't even imagine how they treat the livestock here if the 1st world is this cruel. I'm sick of my stomach after watching the HLN show today. I'm beside myself with grief.

I'm too sad to watch these horrific videos. But I do. I also cannot not see them. I love animals. I don't eat meat or chicken anymore. Now I don't even want to drink another glass of milk or a bite of cheese after seeing the torture of milk cows tooooo!!!! What is wrong with these people who work there??? They should be in prison for years and convicted of animal cruety. Maybe many employees are illegal workers. Start there. Deport them. Get involved with who these workers ( torture animals are. Where are they from. Who are they?????

September 18, 2014 at 9:41 pm |

mSharma

Who are Central Valleys customers?? They should be boycotted.

September 1, 2012 at 12:36 pm |

Mike Ryan

Jane Velez-Mitchel is a tool for the Humane Society. An organization that funnels less than 5% of it's fund raising to helping animals. Jane has taken an a page from from the HSUS page book. She runs personal gain by playing on people's emotion for animals. This is a sensational story built around two incidents out of thousands of non-incidents. Don't be misled by biased stories for Jane's gains.

September 1, 2012 at 12:23 am |

Diane

Well Mike if you believe it was only 2 that was 2 too many. Torture is not an option for anyone you idiot.

April 27, 2013 at 5:16 pm |

Steve

Oh grow up you urban radical animal rights nutjob.

October 12, 2013 at 6:36 am |

theresa sivori

Jane these videos are to horrible to watch I think it ashame how these heartless people have these kind of jobs that enjoy this kind of cruelty. And this kind of thing does happen all over the world. This has to stop. What does it take to stop this cruelty now on all animals. We have to talk for them because they have no voice to speak. STOP THIS NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 31, 2012 at 8:43 pm |

Ray

Jesus Christ will someone please shut these radical animal rights wackjobs up? Any time I see PETA, HSUS,ALF etc and ad nauseum the article loses all credibilty with me.These aren't decent caring people but extremist dirtbags who need exterminated off this planet.Get out of my refrigerator,out of my community and off my planet.People are sick of these extremist groups and the extremist agenda they try to shove down everyones throats,

August 31, 2012 at 10:14 am |

Pnm9pnm

This is balt an payed 4 from alelins from of earth a thing that can make food from anything on an of earth that can feed all life every where. An or any cohere .as inany whair 4ever as to say u cn win 4eeal n or reel.pnm.like me.PNM.

August 29, 2012 at 11:29 pm |

Bill

You people make me laugh. You moan over the poor cows who are going to die in a couple of minutes anyway, yet it's ok to drop a live lobster into boiling water, subject a live crab to steam, or eat veal. Ever seen how a veal bound calf lives? The only one of you who isn't a raging hypocrite is Slender Man the Vegan. At least he's consistent.

August 27, 2012 at 12:38 am |

Nancy

Not sure why you assuming that those appalled at the way these farm animals are being treated means that they do not also care about other instances of abuse – I for one hate the what is done to lobsters and other shellfish, including swallowing clams and mussels while alive. Should we not show compassion for abuse wherever it occurs?

August 28, 2012 at 7:49 am |

JeffinIL

I'm guessing that the USDA is missing these violators because they're probably grossly understaffed like most government agencies that are supposed to see too it that health and safety regulations are being followed. Health and Safety interfere with $$$$$.

August 26, 2012 at 10:41 pm |

geo

you want to slowly kill the tender ones so they don't get tough.

August 26, 2012 at 4:53 pm |

Diane

You are the reason we should have more prisons. Wait until your turn. Perhaps you will get more tender when you are tortured.

April 27, 2013 at 5:07 pm |

Charle

so whats the problem? the cows are dying or arent dying fast enough. wats supposed to b the solution?

August 26, 2012 at 4:46 pm |

Nancy

I believe the problem is that are are being abused while alive, with additional cruelty if they do not die on schedule. Tis is irrespective of anyone's position on eating meat

August 26, 2012 at 5:45 pm |

Tim Young

In-N-Out Burger has been using bottom of the barrel processors since it's inception.Old man Snyder never saw cheap beef as something he could pass up!And thru old Harry's wishes are his commands.This wont be the last scab purveyor that gets linked directly to In-N-Out as a 'preferred supplier",Old Harry taught his minions well.....

August 26, 2012 at 11:55 am |

Where's the HUMAN news?

CNN has NOT run one single story about the Human Abuse by the Obama administration against Medical Marijuana Patients.

August 26, 2012 at 2:40 pm |

MP

I like mine medium rare.

August 26, 2012 at 9:06 am |

Humans before Cows

Why does CNN care so much about cows, but doesn't care about Humans being tortured by Obama's draconian policies against Medical Marijuana Cancer Patients?

August 26, 2012 at 9:31 am |

Nancy

This is NOT a zero sum topic, caring about helpless anamials being carved up while alive, rundown by a forklift or kicked and beaten to death dos not mean we do not also care about other injustices and harm caused to others. It sounds as if you would have preferred that CNN not run this piece, which is surely not what you meant, since you seem to be sensitive to torture, pain and needlessly painful death. Perhaps saying 'yes this is terrible, and there are other terrible things too, such as wrongfully depriving cancer patients of medical marijuan' would have made that clear. BTW I agree that the marijuana ban (medical or otherwise) causes needless pain and suffering

August 26, 2012 at 12:05 pm |

theresa sivori

y ou are a sick person not funny they need to serve you rare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 31, 2012 at 8:15 pm |

abbydelabbey

I think that the true animals have 2 legs, not 4.... We seemed to have devolved, not evolved....

August 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm |

Why Maria won't vote for Obama

Obama sent federal thugs to San Diego to shut down the last state approved Medical Marijuana Dispensary – but they were stopped by American Citizens with Court Orders telling Obama that this is NOT Cuba.... developing story...

August 26, 2012 at 6:02 am |

Truth Hurts

Obama hates Mexicans – He deported more than any other president in History... that's why Maria won't vote for Obama...

August 26, 2012 at 7:01 am |

American

Her mantra should be " eat more p...y"!

August 26, 2012 at 7:50 am |

Nancy

a truly educated and well thought out reply which will certainly solve the problem of animal abuse – thanks for you contribution to the topic at hand

forgot to add – paper had article yesterday that republican (what else?) legislators from that area of state want the slaughter-house reopened because of poor economy – DUH! DUH! & DUH! If those idiots take over whitehouse and senate the animals and environment are in for more hell than presently perpetrated, including appt. of federal judges and possible one or two supreme ct. justices SO IF someone wants to bring suit against these killers there will be no place to go!

August 25, 2012 at 6:54 pm |

dee dee

Pat, this Obama administration just allowed horses to be slaughter again! Please check your facts about Republicans. They fought to free the slaves, Regan gave amnesty to many undocumented emigrants in 1986 etc...there is more but really stop it.

August 25, 2012 at 10:01 pm |

Pat

so what is new? this has been going on for years and years the USDA is in charge of inspection & employs veternarians??? the Fox in charge of henhouse? disgusting? there should be separate agency (w/ teeth) overseeing this killer "department" and while @ it the dept. of interior – both are doing exactly what the livestock industry wants and, of course, the public is so stupid they get away w/ it. Meat is killing people – heart and cancer disease – as bad as cigarettes yet not only do they continue they are sanctioned and supported by stupid people

August 25, 2012 at 6:51 pm |

Zig

This what happens in horse slaughter plants, and worse. Horses are "head" shy and do not tolerate having a bolt gun heading for their head. Google horse slaughter in Mexico, and take a look what they do our horses that have been over-populated by the horse industry it's greedy self.

August 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm |

myself

too many horses = Elmer's glue!!!

August 25, 2012 at 6:44 pm |

Barbara Leonard

Zig: You're right. How can they say "humane slaughter" for horses when they can't even provide it for cattle, and cattle do not have the urge to flee like horses. I would like to know the names of these legislators from CA who are urging USDA to reopen this plant. Their names would go on my "try to get unelected" list. The list is already pretty long cause we have some pretty disgusting politicians who, unfortunately, are collecting their salaries from the taxpayers.

Reblogged this on Humane Action and commented:
It’s happened again: what I clearly see as cruelty to cows caught on tape. This time at a supplier to fast food giant In-N-Out Burger, which immediately cut ties to the slaughterhouse

August 25, 2012 at 10:12 am |

myself

Eating meat is MURDER!!! Tasty, tasty murder!!! I really could care less what they do the cows, so long as there is steak, ribs, roast and all the other delicious parts!!!! JVM should shut her her hairless clam eating pie-hole!!!!

August 25, 2012 at 9:35 am |

me

too bad you arent a cow.........instead of the pig you are now. self centered moron.........

August 25, 2012 at 10:28 am |

I

oink oink

August 25, 2012 at 12:50 pm |

Barbara Leonard

Me: I agree with your description of Myself.

August 26, 2012 at 9:53 am |

Nancy

i am afraid you are doing a graving injustice to the pigs of the world

August 26, 2012 at 1:13 pm |

Michaela

You are a very sick individual.

August 25, 2012 at 1:28 pm |

Rosemary Marshall

What an idiot your are "MYSELF". Rude, too. Animals are sentient beings who can feel pain fear and anxiety.
It behoves us as the dominant species to treat them properly.

August 25, 2012 at 2:31 pm |

marsha

You are a total idiot!!! Animals feel pain, fear and anxiety I cannt fathom how anyone can eat meat!!!

August 25, 2012 at 6:42 pm |

taskmaster

I have been seeing a lot of beef imported from Mexico in our local super markets. I wonder if anyone cares about the way cows are slaughtered in Mexico or the sanitation conditions at their slaughter houses. I will not purchase this beef even though it's $4 to $7 a pound cheaper than domestic beef. I have traveled around Mexico too much.

August 24, 2012 at 6:48 pm |

Nancy

Thanks for this comment, I have to confess I had not considered that before

August 26, 2012 at 1:14 pm |

Scott Wallace

Every time there is an article about meat in any context why do all the plant murdering vegans come out of the woodwork with their mindless save the planet crap. Hey vegans. You drive cars and use electricity and waste water. We don't do anymore harm to the planet than you do.

August 24, 2012 at 4:40 pm |

Aidan Moran

Yeah you do.

August 24, 2012 at 5:23 pm |

Aidan Moran

Or do you believe that if you can't be perfect you shoudn't even try to be better?

August 24, 2012 at 5:24 pm |

taskmaster

Just because your not prefect is no excuse for being stupid.

August 24, 2012 at 6:51 pm |

noodlebrain

No, I'm not prefect. Only Ford is Prefect.

August 24, 2012 at 7:43 pm |

Michaela

You are clearly very uninformed about this subject. Try educating yourself a bit.

August 25, 2012 at 1:30 pm |

Aidan Moran

Not only the fact that animals are abused for meat, there really is no reason to eat meat. It is less healthy, reduces the amount of food available for people in impoerished countries, destroyes our natural world and wastes valuable resources. If you care about people, the environment, yourself or animals, you will be vegan.

August 24, 2012 at 3:40 pm |

taskmaster

Aidan Moran : There's a darn good reason for me eating meat. ILIKE IT!! If you vegans would eat what you want and let other people eat what they want you would stop looking and sounding like morons.

August 24, 2012 at 6:55 pm |

Nancy

eat meat if you wish, I do, but could you not care a little about the animals being cut up before they are dead etc, would you consider watching the video and thinking about what you can do to make the process less cruel? like checking whether the meat you purchase and consumre comes from a humane provider? please look at the video before you dismiss the other arguments – you already have evidence on the eat meat side – it does taste good, – please look at the evidence on another side – not the side that says 'you must not eat meat', just the side that says 'looka thhow it is done'

August 26, 2012 at 12:17 pm |

crazyvermont

Adrian,
Fortunately, America still is a land of free speech. Unfortunately, there always seems a bunch of uneducated peple such as your selves who find it necessary to try and educate(force) the rest of us to live like you. Real simply, people have dominion over lower creatures on th planet.......has been that way throughout the ages

August 25, 2012 at 8:35 am |

Nancy

does dominion necessarily mean abuse? Do they have to be carved up while still alive? Have you watched the video to see what people are concerned about

August 26, 2012 at 12:20 pm |

bob

Aidan, think of the thousands of baby mice, birds, and insects that are destroyed to till the earth that will grow your crop of soy. So, instead of judging others for eating one animal, thing about how many had to die in order to make your tofu.

August 25, 2012 at 3:24 pm |

felix el gato

Long prison sentences for people who abuse animals.

August 24, 2012 at 3:00 pm |

GRS62

Sorry, CNN but I can't read or watch anything featuring Jane Velez-Mitchell. She's simply a self-promoting, inflammatory fluff journalist and I use the term "journalist" loosely. The only difference between Nancy Grace and Velez is that Grace weighs 3 times as much and more closely resembles a pig. Neither should be on the air, online or in print.

August 24, 2012 at 11:44 am |

Prince Hairy

But, Nancy just had twins and the double Baby FAT is soooooooo hard to lose. Wait-that was over a year ago. Never Mind.

August 24, 2012 at 1:46 pm |

taskmaster

Prince Hairy: Nancy Grace would still be a pig if she weighed only 90 pounds.

August 24, 2012 at 7:02 pm |

taskmaster

GRS62: We sure see eye to eye on Nancy [Bucket Mouth] Grace. I thought I heard her out in the country one day but it was a cow caught in a barbed wire fence.

August 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm |

Nancy

So glad that physical appearance governs whether or not you will listen to the words of another

August 26, 2012 at 12:21 pm |

Normann

Meh. No big deal. Thesse animals are going to slaughter anyway, so what's the big deal?

August 24, 2012 at 9:53 am |

sjenner

You don't need to torture an animal to death. We eat meat, but I don't believe that justifies in any way the horrendous torture and suffering of these animals. There's still such a thing as respect, even for something that might become sustenance.

August 24, 2012 at 1:39 pm |

Nancy

Well put! thank you

August 26, 2012 at 12:22 pm |

Sam

If you were civilized, educated, and had a conscience you would understand. You are obviously not, so it's a waste of time and energy to argue with you and all those who think like you. Maybe one day you will understand that what goes around, comes around.

August 24, 2012 at 11:03 pm |

blackjack

Are these the happy cows we see in the California commercials. It would behoove us all to realize that animals give their lives so we can live ours and so they deserve to be treated with respect there is a humane was to kill an animal its the corporate mentality greed greed and more greed. Why are there not cameras all over the place in every slaughterhouse? where are the people who are supposed to be watching this. How sad that we are not all outraged over this.

All this talk about beef has made me hungry.I'm going to fire up the grill and throw on couple of T-Bones or maybe Rib Eyes.

August 24, 2012 at 7:09 pm |

me

well – lets hope you choke on it ......... and no ones around :)

August 25, 2012 at 10:31 am |

theresa sivori

I agree with me You need to choke on your tbone you must not have a heart

August 31, 2012 at 8:26 pm |

Carol

Jane it sickens me to imagine the horific treatment thes cows endured on your show 8/22/12. The cow they kept shooting and slaming their foot on her nose and face to finish her off is dispiciable. If you view this sickening video again you could actually see the tears in eyes which broke my heart.

Just imagine what these people are really capable of doing to people, I believe they really get off on this and are very danagerous. No one has the right to torment any animal.

I have decided to give up eating meat if this is how I have to get.

USDA is obvious not doing their job "O WHAT A BIG SURPRISE"

Sicken
Carol

August 24, 2012 at 2:25 am |

Nancy

I have to agree with you, carol, I cannot support this cruelty. the only comfort I can derive is that the perpetrators of the beating will someday pay the price (karma, heaven/hell or however one conceives it)

August 26, 2012 at 12:25 pm |

Steve

Now you're talking Jane! I hope you will continue to feature this story on your show; without that it will blow away.
Until the next inevitable episode.

August 24, 2012 at 1:34 am |

4violet2

Why is this continuing to be an issue after all the years of animal cruelty and abuse having been exposed. Obviously we have the wrong people with a different 'agenda' in charge.
Although I don't eat meat any longer, I did know the difference even as a child that we are caretakers over these animals that provide most of mankind with dairy and meat, etc., it does not however give any person the right to make an animals life miserable as though there are no consequences.
I am having a recurring vision of a certain type of employees being employed/maintained by these companies who are always looking for a way out when someone has exposed what they must know is going on daily.
You can't tell me nor most of us that there are better qualified human beings who could be employed that are not sadistic criminal elements of unknown origins themselves. Who among us doesn't know when a person has the need to be so cruel to an animal they must have issues along their life path with people or children.
Whether vegetarian or not its our responsibility to find a united front to confront not only the industry but individuals that possess a blind eye to cruelty of any kind and assign the task with who the ability to know the difference of good business and ethics, not just lip service, especially if it goes all the way to the top of the government chain.
In spite of our concern we obviously are complacent, in spite of this industries wanting to keep eyes out, it does stress an animal unfairly, which is why so many disabled animals being picked on.....God only knows what really is going on without a secret camera. Want transparency, we have to find honest, capable well balanced people who can truly handle the job with integrity, not fear the exposure to sadistic torturous tactics and get rid of or imprison these criminals who find cheap entertainment at the expense of something who can't fight back. Its still against the law though to do it to the humans exercising the torture isn't it? Time for America to 'clean house' and get involved into areas pertaining to the health and well being of our daily lives, this sure is it and keep the light on and cameras rolling!

August 24, 2012 at 12:31 am |

Elliott Krakow

First of all, who but the most insensitive people could even take a job in a slaughterhouse to begin with. Then, consider that a fair number of these people probably have sadistic urges that they act upon and they are surrounded by co-workers who lack the compassion to protest about their actions! When you next meet a 'vegan', think twice before you pass judgement and label them some sort of 'oddball treehugger'. In this warped society where animal slaughter, consumption and vivisection is embraced by the silent majority, a small percentage of people have the depth of thought, the courage of their convictions and the raw will power to take a stand against the status quo. They fight against tremendous odds to make their voices heard, for the many millions of sentient beings who suffer and die to become McDonald's ' burger of the month'. No doubt some microcephalic redneck hunters will make light of this post...proof positive that those of us with a somewhat higher level of consciousness MUST continue to try to do the right thing.

August 24, 2012 at 12:31 am |

Popkorn

There is something obviously wrong with you and your kind. It's going to take decades before your type is accepted in the general population. Take a hint from those who had to march for decades waving rainbow flags and yelling we're queer, we're here, get used to it before they generally were accepted in society. Maybe you should start vegan pride day, wave corn stalks while chanting your views of alternative diets. I suggest you and your vegan friends get your canine teeth pulled out in protest of carnivores.

August 24, 2012 at 3:36 am |

me

whew.......... too bad your parents didn't believe in abortion!

August 25, 2012 at 10:36 am |

Diane

To Me, OMG Good answew. Love it. xx

April 27, 2013 at 6:39 pm |

Steve

Animal rights retards are pansy @$$ pussys who couldn't fight their way out of a wet papersack.Love seeing them get there teeth kicked in.

October 12, 2013 at 6:47 am |

Charles

My wife will not eat meat she is totally against it. But I do.........but I would never treat a animal like that. If that is the real way they are treated then maybe I need to rethink this whole meat thing........nothing should be made to purposely feel pain.

August 25, 2012 at 3:30 am |

Diane

Elliott I agree I could not work in a slaughter house. However, If I had to I would make sure that there would be no abuse to the animals. We should be loving on them.

Ms. Mitchell: You are a pioneer and deep humanitarian Leader In our country to stop farm animal cruelty. WE LOVE YOU AND YOUR PRODUCERS AND HLN FOR AIRING WHAT NEEDES TO BE EXPOSED. HOW TO WE FORM A NATIONAL BOYCOTT AN MEET PRODUCTS IN THIS COUNTRY?

YOU NOT ONLY HELP PROTECT INNOCENT FARM ANIMALS, ALL ANIMALS, BUT YOU MAKE THE COUNTRY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE BETTER FOR PEOPLE WHO, LIKE ME, DEEPLY CARE ABOUT FACTORY FARM ISSUES, FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY AND OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES. GODS CREATERS- I AM A REGISTARED REPUBLICAN BECAUSE OF PRO-LIFE ISSUE. BUT, BUT, I NOT ONLY VALUE HUMANE LIFE, I VALUE ALL ANIMAL LIFE TOO. GOD BLESS YOU MS. MITCHELL.

August 23, 2012 at 9:19 pm |

Popkorn

HEY PRO-LIFER What's your plan for caring for all the unwanted orphan babies? Don't count on a church caring the burden of that cost. Heck no, that'll take money out of the Pope's coffers. Guess the unwanted unaborted orphan babies will have to go on early welfare, with out having to look for work!

August 24, 2012 at 3:39 am |

taskmaster

popkorn=the next serial killer.He would love to kill babies.

August 24, 2012 at 6:39 pm |

Nancy

What does this have to do with the cows? Could you please address your comments to the topic on hand – your comments add nothing to that

August 26, 2012 at 12:27 pm |

CanAmFam

What is up with the ignorant comments here? Watch the video. This treatment is inexcusable I don't care what your position is on eating animals. If you have a conscience at all, this video will sicken you. And sadly, more and more undercover videos are proving this treatment is not the exception.

August 23, 2012 at 8:50 pm |

JellyBean

Hear, hear! The lack of compassion for the ill treatment of the animals that we consume is appalling.

"Until the U.S. government develops integrity in this arena, consumers can’t assume the products they buy are made with integrity. So Caveat Emptor – buyer beware! If you don’t want to be a part of this horror, DON'T BUY MEAT PRODUCTS. It just might have to take a national meat boycott to get the USDA to clean up its act." - Jane Velez-Mitchell

The meat/dairy/egg industries spends hundreds of millions of dollars lying to the public about their product. But no amount of false propaganda can sanitize meat. The facts are absolutely clear: Eating meat is bad for human health, catastrophic for the environment, and a living nightmare for animals. There's never been more compelling reasons or a better time to opt for a plant based diet.
Want to create a better world? Eat like you mean it – Go Vegan
http://www.nonviolenceunited.org/veganvideo.html

August 23, 2012 at 7:59 pm |

Popkorn

What about the university studies that plants have feeling s and communicate with one another. Don't go half way with your idea, quit eating.

August 24, 2012 at 3:42 am |

Jessica

Popkorn, I think it's time to move out of your mom's basement.

August 24, 2012 at 1:57 pm |

me

I am wondering if he can still walk without being bowlegged and moaning :)

August 25, 2012 at 10:38 am |

Nancy

Thanks for your well thought out and intelligent comment on the topic of abuse – very helpful to all

August 26, 2012 at 1:17 pm |

Prince Hairy

It's a shame Jane couldn't have found some of this meat or some Indiana cantaloup while dumpster diving.

August 23, 2012 at 6:08 pm |

Andy B

Too bad you could not find a brain in the cesspool that spawned you. Moron.

August 23, 2012 at 8:18 pm |

Popkorn

Hmmmmm, braaaaaaiiinssss...

August 24, 2012 at 3:42 am |

Opinion: Prince Hairy@AndyB

Three Central California Republican congressman are urging Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to " immediately " allow the Central Valley Meat CO. to operate again.
House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and Reps. Devin Nunes and Jeff Denham said in a letter Thursday that keeping the plant shut down serves " No legitimate interest " and harms the plant workers at a time when the community has double digit unemployment.
IMHO, YOU and YOUR Dear Jane need to go after these Nutjobs that YOU voted into office-NOT the Normal Carnivores of the U.S.A.
Who is the moron now,MORON?

August 24, 2012 at 7:28 am |

Steve

Jeez are you really that stupid or do you work at it?

October 12, 2013 at 6:44 am |

Tanya Schlager

The FDA not only needs to clean up its act it should assure that everyone has a right to purchase food free of contamination, especially since foodborne diseases can cause severe symptoms and often result in substantial medical bills and for anyone out there that condones these types of abuse as being acceptable must stop creating excuses for their vile insensitive acts. "To inflict cruelties on defenceless creatures, or condone such acts, is to abuse one of the cardinal tenets of a civilized society – reverence for life." – Dr. Jon Evans

August 23, 2012 at 5:48 pm |

theresa07

we need to DEMAND that they address and fix this now!

August 23, 2012 at 5:44 pm |

Jdizzle McHammerpants ♫♫

I agree. I'm going to comment on internet news articles incessantly until someone does something about this.

August 23, 2012 at 6:08 pm |

The Pope

If you thing the USDA really gives a s hit, you're living in a fantasy world.

August 23, 2012 at 5:43 pm |

Jessica

Thank you so much for covering this crucial issue Jane. It is absolutely horrifying that animals were treated in this manner at this factory for so long without any interference from the USDA. The fact that so many other slaughterhouses are continuing on abusing their animals in this way unreported, simply because the USDA doesn't care and there don't happen to be any undercover investigators in their plants breaks my heart.

August 23, 2012 at 5:11 pm |

Jessica

*PS- I'm not the same Jessica as below! Common name :)*

August 23, 2012 at 5:13 pm |

Jessica

Sadly, this is nothing new. Abuse occurs on most factory farms (which make up around 99% of all meat & dairy farms in the US). Everyone in this country should read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I gave up meat and dairy as a direct result of this book. I've never felt better. The USDA is all about the profit – and consumers are paying with their health.

August 23, 2012 at 4:19 pm |

VeggieGIrl

ME too! Can't say I will ever go back.. healthier, thinner, better blood tests, and knowing I am not supporting this industry is icing on the cake...

August 23, 2012 at 5:02 pm |

Popkorn

Why quit eating halfway?

August 24, 2012 at 3:44 am |

Jessica

Sorry?

August 24, 2012 at 1:55 pm |

Nancy

another intelligent, informed comment which helps address the problem of cruelty as portrayed on this video, which was, I would guess, meant to the be topic commented upon, rather than personal attempted insults at a writer with a view that contradicts yous

August 26, 2012 at 12:30 pm |

Nancy

to be clear the prev was in reference to PopKorns contributions to the topic

August 26, 2012 at 12:31 pm |

Cate

Jane, I was going to share this on FB... until the waterboarding comment. Waterboarding is nothing compared to this horrible torture while being lead to slaughter. You will surely loose a lot of readers of this opinion with that comment. unfortunate choice of words...

This is just awful. It should make you think twice about where the meat you eat comes from and horrific conditions they may endure.

August 23, 2012 at 3:43 pm |

Slender Man

Go vegan. I did. One, vegan chicks are very open minded. Two, my sex drive is off the charts. And one and two together and bam, tons of sex.

August 23, 2012 at 3:33 pm |

Jdizzle McHammerpants ♫♫

You should feed the slave in your basement more than veggies. She needs her strength.

August 23, 2012 at 6:07 pm |

Nancy

yet another intelligent, helpful comment on the topic at hand – abuse of animals we use for sustenance thanks

August 26, 2012 at 12:33 pm |

ONlinetech

Jane Velez-Mitchell is talking about the important issues in this world. We appreciate that.

August 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm |

Truth™

And we're off................

August 23, 2012 at 2:22 pm |

Jdizzle McHammerpants ♫♫

....like a prom dress.

August 23, 2012 at 6:11 pm |

Popkorn

Are you saying cows would be treated better if they wore a prom dress?

August 24, 2012 at 3:47 am |

Jericho

You might be. Have you tried it?

August 24, 2012 at 6:51 am |

Nancy

at least you are consistent in attempting to belittle the messenger rather than contribute to the topic of abuse – perhaps you have no comments on the topic itself?

August 26, 2012 at 12:36 pm |

Diane

Oh I have a comment! I contribute all the time to abuse the list is endless. My concern is NO animal should be abused or tortured. Your right I will belittle the messenger when they are condoning torture of a living being. Wouldn't you?

April 27, 2013 at 5:33 pm |

Steve

You animal rights freaks make me sick one day retards like you are going to get your just desserts for the damage you have done to humans and the very animals you profess to help..You horrible rotten stinking POS. STFU.Too bad someone wouldn"t bash your f#@king face in.